Posted on 12/18/2008 11:42:22 AM PST by tcg
He was Father Deacon Paul Weyrich to me; a Proto- Deacon of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church who served the Holy Altar, for as long as he could stand, with deep piety. A man who bore the dignity of his clerical office, Father Deacon Paul loved the Lord and he loved Christs Church. He is now serving the eternal Liturgy in heaven.
...Paul Weyrich was so much more than politics. He was a faithful member of the Order of Deacons, a Catholic Clergyman who knew that some truths revealed by the Natural law (and confirmed in Christian Revelation) like the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death, were not just for religious people. Rather they have to be the foundation of every society or that society will never be free. He left a legacy of thought and action which others must now build on.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.org ...
bttt
What is Melkite?? I’m a cradle Catholic (Roman) and have no idea? Do they follow our Pope?? I’ve never heard of Fr. Deacon.....eithor a Father or a Deacon....not combo.
Has anyone found what caused his death? I’ve been all over the net and can’t find the answer.
his health had been failing for several years. He was confined to a wheelchair for some time.
Paul took a freak spill on icy pavement and severely injured his spine. He’d been in virtually intractable pain for a number of years. His body probably just gave up the ghost.
R.I.P. Paul.
Dear Ann
A Melkite is an Eastern “Byzantine” Catholic. There are many different expressions of the Catholic faith. Eastern Catholics are fully in union with Rome and follow the Pope. It is the ancient custom in many eastern churches to refer to their deacons as “Fr. Deacon”. You should go to an Eastern catholic Liturgy some day. They are very, very beautiful. They are open to all catholics and all catholics in union with Rome can receive communion.
I was wondering the same thing so I looked up the Melkite Greek Catholic Church on Wikipedia.com.
It seems to me they are a version of the Catholic Church in communion with the Pope. Whatever that means. I’m kinda a black and white kinda a guy and there is no such thing as being a little bit pregnant with me if you get my drift. In another words it’s either Catholic or it ain’t. There’s no in between.
Paul Weyrich sounded more Germanic than Greek to me. Anyway, RIP—He was a great conservative leader.
He was a GREAT MAN!
But is it HOLY Communion? Is it the Body and Blood of Jesus?
OK, thanks for clearing it up. It is Catholic but not Roman Catholic. Right?
Yes, it is Holy Communion of the One Holy Apostolic Catholic Church.
Any Catholic can fulfill his obligation by attending any Catholic Church, not necessarily Roman Catholic Church, on a day of obligation.
If one wishes to attend a different rite permanently, there may be a dispensation needed, and it is always granted, as far as I know. NYer knows more.
Eastern Rite Catholics are as Catholic as the Pope. Our ritual is different, but the beiliefs, the dogma, and the Sacraments are the same. Some terminology is different, but please don't think that we are a "version" of anything. We are, like you, CATHOLIC.
Rest in peace father.
Substitute "Latin Rite" for the Catholic Church in the West (what some call the "Roman Catholic" Church), and "Eastern Rites" for the 20+ sui juris Churches in the East which are also part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, and that should bring it into focus for you.
The Latin Rite represents 95+% of all Catholics, but the Eastern Rites are as old and as valid as well. They are all under either a Patriarch or Metropolitan Bishop who is in union with the Bishop of Rome, the Pope.
yes. It is the Eucharist. Eastern Catholic Priests are Catholic Priests. Some serve in both Roman catholic and Eastern catholic Churches
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